The Ducati Superbike Team all set for Phillip Island season opener

●Recent test results bode well for the upcoming race weekend●Riders Davies and Giugliano fighting fit and ready for the first races of the 2014 season

Phillip Island (Australia), Wednesday 19 February 2014 – Having concluded testing at the Australian track of Phillip Island only yesterday, the Ducati Superbike Team and riders Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano will return to the same circuit on Friday, ready to take part in the first practice sessions of the opening round of the 2014 Superbike World Championship.

This week’s testing on Australian soil proved to be an extremely useful experience for both of the squad’s riders, Davide Giugliano and Chaz Davies, providing the entire team with the chance to make final preparations ahead of the opening race weekend of the 2014 championship. Results proved to be positive; with times dropping steadily throughout the sessions, Davies closed tenth, with a best time of 1’31.087, Giugliano recorded the fifth fastest overall time (1’30.644).

At last year’s Phillip Island event, Davies narrowly missed out on a podium spot in race 1 when he finished fourth while Giugliano’s best Island result so far was a sixth place finish, scored in race 2 in 2013. Both will be trying their hardest to improve on those results in this weekend’s races, scheduled to take place on Sunday 23 February at 12pm and 2.40pm local time.

Quotes ahead of the race weekend:

◆Chaz Davies – Ducati Superbike Team #7“Last year’s race 1 was one of my better races here at Phillip Island I’d say. It’s always been a little difficult for me in Australia for some reason but, having said that, I do enjoy riding this track. I think my Panigale is suited to the track, the bike is doing certain things really well, then there are a few other things I’d like to improve, but judging from Carlos’ Superpole result last year, it’s evidently a good track for the bike… All things considered, I’m feeling fairly confident.”

◆Davide Giugliano – Ducati Superbike Team #34“I’m really looking forward to the first races of 2014, even more so after our positive experiences testing earlier this week. Phillip Island has never been the easiest track for me but I must say that with the Panigale I am feeling a lot more comfortable here than I have in previous years and I’ve already been able to record some faster times in the recent tests than I have done in the past and this is clearly a positive. This should be a good track for us, and we’ll our best to make the most of this opportunity this coming weekend.”

◆Ernesto Marinelli – Ducati Superbike Project Director “The tests that we’ve completed were extremely important and together with the riders and the entire team we have carried out many tests in order to start with a good base on Friday. Phillip Island is a unique circuit and we have to be careful not to put the rear tyre under too much stress. The results achieved up until now are satisfying and have provided us with the base we were looking for. Both riders have improved on their best lap times from last year as well as ducking under last year’s fastest lap time set during the race. Our rivals have also been working hard though so we still have a lot of work to do. We will harness all of our determination.”